Six weeks post-tour
and reviews continue to pour in acclaiming this tour as "Camel's most
outstanding lineup since 1978" and many go so far as to say it's the
greatest of all. The mantle has been passed from the late Peter
Bardens to Peter Jones, the talented mulitinstrumentalist who joined
Camel in 2016 for their Japan tour. Jones' performance won the
hearts of Japanese fans in 2016 and again in 2018 and by the time the
band reached Europe, a global buzz had taken hold and greeted every
show. By the time they reached the UK expectations were off the
scale and still Camel exceeded them. Andrew Latimer called Tour
2018 the best tour Camel has ever done adding "Everything we've gone
through over the years has been worth it".

(Screen shot of RAH video edit, end 1st set)

The band are now in the final stages of mixing the audio for the
forthcoming DVD of the Royal Albert Hall performance. CP has seen
some of the rough footage and can say unequivocally that this DVD, like
the band itself, is truly in another league from the past. In
fact, plans are afoot to offer the release on Blu-Ray as well. On
all levels, it's a brand new day for Camel.

Preorders will soon be open for the DVD and Blu-Ray and we will again
offer the opportunity to memorialise your support with your name in the
liner notes. Watch this space or sign up to Camel's Twitter account and Camel's YouTube Channel and be notified of any news.

20 Sep 2018IS THAT ALL THERE IS MY FRIEND?

Camel's 2018 world tour reached a feverish climax at the Royal Albert Hall on Monday evening. The performance far surpassed CP's expectations as the band stepped up yet another level of outstanding performances. There couldn't be a better ending if we'd tried to script it.
For now, everyone is taking a much needed break but we'll be back soon
with NEWS. As many fans have noticed, the RAH performance was
indeed video recorded so there will be a DVD release. Watch this
space for updates and perhaps some trailers...

To all who came and those who couldn't but still sent their good wishes, our thanks to you. It cannot be done without you.

(ALL PHOTOS BY CAMPBELL SKINNER)

(ALL PHOTOS BY CAMPBELL SKINNER)
3 Sep 2018

FIRMLY ON THE ROAD AGAIN

With the entire band now restored to excellent health and Andrew
Latimer in full swing, the final segment of Tour 2018 is firmly
underway.

A celebratory return to Paard De Troje in Den Haag launched the band
back to the centre stage on 29 Aug. CP was extremely pleased to
be able to make up the lost performance and the show was all fans had
hoped for and more. Conquering adversity in such spectacular
fashion seems to add a special blend of passion and elation. The
band and audience were one.

More great shows followed in Jerez and LIsbon with Madrid and Barcelona
on the immediate horizon before the band return to the UK on 7 Sep.

7 June 2018

THE CAMEL TOUR WILL CONTINUE AND A NEW DATE FOR DEN HAAG

Camel
Productions is pleased (and relieved) that Andrew Latimer feels well
enough to continue the rest of the tour. Barring any last minute
hitches
Camel will perform tonight in Hengelo. If you have any questions
or concerns, please contact the venue directly as they will have up to
date information.CP is also pleased to be able to announce the scheduled date for
the canceled Den Haag show: 29 August 2018. Tickets are
valid for the rescheduled show or can be returned. Paard will inform ticket holders via email.
Please contact the venue if you have questions: Paard van Troje (Trojan Horse), 12 Prinsegracht, Den Haag ZH 2512 GA Main Phone +31 70 750 3434

5 June 2018

NEWS UPDATE

As many fans will have already heard, Camel's performance in Den Haag was canceled unexpectedly.

Despite
the recent challenge of Andrew Latimer's hernia and his need to perform
seated, shows were strong and the band more energised than ever.
Andrew's playing while sitting is as emotive, animated and thrilling as
ever. But during soundcheck, Andrew began feeling unwell with
chills and an elevated temperature. He was taken to a local
medical centre.The attending
physician tells us that Andrew is in the early stages of
pneumonia. He prescribed a medication plan and expressed
confidence that Camel might be able to resume the tour in HengeloWhile Andrew
wanted the show to go on no matter what, management made the call to
cancel tonight's show. He was too ill to give himself fully to a
performance, and there was concern that it would take too much out of
him and worsen his condition. All agreed that it's better to
cancel one show in hopes of saving the tour. No one wanted to
risk losing three more shows because Andrew pushed himself too
far. Cancelling Den Haag gives Andrew two full days to recover
and follow the doctor's plan. It needs a little time to work its
magic. A couple of days rest with medication may be all he
needs. Time will tell.CP is so very
grateful for the immense support of the venue, promoter and fans.
Everyone understood it was unavoidable. Henk from Paard (for Mojo
Concerts) invited the fans who had already arrived to have a drink in
the lobby where he informed everyone of the cancellation. He also
reassured fans that dates for rescheduling are already being
discussed. As crew and other band members moved in and out
sorting the loose ends, Colin Bass stole a few moments to go into the
lobby to chat with fans and answer questions. Afterwards, Colin
told CP: "They were very understanding, sending good wishes and
positive thoughts. It was very touching actually".Also very
touching is the outpouring of emails with love and best wishes for
Andrew's speedy recovery. CP is gratified to know that fans are
aware we are all trying really hard to make this work and put it right.We'll have an update in a couple of days.From all at CP, our love and best wishes to Andy as well.

(Photo by Jasper Bolderdijk)

30 May 2018

CAMEL TOUR 2018 is going strong with sell-out performances.

Fans have welcomed new keyboardist Pete Jones with open arms, marvelling
at his phenomenal talent and versatility. Pete truly astounds
audiences. Few realise he has been blind since he was a
child. Andrew, Colin, Denis and Pete have impressed each and
every person with their dynamic performance. There couldn't be a
better start to the tour.

But of course, this is Camel. The unexpected is always lurking in the wings…

During the last show of Tour Part I, Andrew began to experience such
pain that for the first time in his 50 year long career, he had to stop
the show and take time out to recover. Apologising to fans,
Andrew was helped offstage. After a short period of rest he was
determined to finish the show, although an encore wasn't
possible. He has asked that we express his sincerest apologies
for letting the show down.

However,
we at CP don't feel he let the show down at all. It transpires
that, after an emergency assessment in a London hospital, Andrew was
diagnosed with a hernia. It's a slight hernia but at times very
painful. We are relieved to report that it is manageable so that
CAMEL's tour can carry on as long as there is a slight modification to
ensure Andrew's well being: He will need to sit during
performances. Playing an 11lb. guitar as he emotionally and
physically throws himself into his performance will greatly aggravate
the hernia. Andrew was reluctant to accept this advice but
with the support of the band, crew and management, he realises he needs
to curtail his performance to ease the physical strain on his
body.

But we can guarantee he won't restrain the emotional aspect of his performance.

Our thanks to all who have sent kind words of support to
Andrew. He has read each and every one, and he sends his personal
thanks for this outpouring. CAMEL have had many highs and lows
during tours past, and it almost wouldn't be a CAMEL tour without some
kind of challenge. As Andrew returned to the stage to finish the show, backline tech manager Simon Grocott commented: "The man is legend".

Photos by Yoav Broner (above) and Aki Fujita Taguchi (top right)

5 May 2018

POSTCARD from the edge.

Last week of rehearsals before the first show at Club Citta on 16 May 2018.

5 March 2018

REHEARSALS

At a remote studio deep in the heart of northern England's "Rural Capital of Food"...

Andrew Latimer, Denis Clement, Colin Bass and Pete
Jones recently had a brief rehearsal period to reconnect and consider
material for the upcoming performances. Much merriment ensued
after a hard day's night and all four are looking forward to hitting
the road in May.

The 2018 tour is breaking ground in new territories
and also revisiting familiar ones. But there are some absent
friends such as Scandinavia, France, Germany and both North and South
America. Camel have not toured these territories in many years
and there were no financially viable offers for the band to do so in
2018. It now seems highly unlikely there will be any dates added on the
present schedule.
Camel Productions can say for certain that the 17th September Royal
Albert Hall show will be the final performance of this year.
There are still a precious few tickets left and they will soon be sold out.

MEET AND GREET

During Camel's long history, many fans have been able to
meet and spend a few moments with the band after a show. This
very down-to-earth group of musicians have enjoyed this unique
experience. However, during the random Meet & Greets on
recent tours, there have been a few worrying moments. Crowd
control became a serious issue. When several hundred fans queued
for autographs and selfies, it became quickly evident that demand could
not be met in the time available. At two shows, when fans
realised the band had to leave before they could get their autographs,
they surged forward nearly overturning a table, crushing the band
against a wall. Thankfully, no one was injured but it brought to
mind keyboardist Guy LeBlanc's experience in 2003 when he was nearly
pulled off the stage by a fan. A monitor cabinet broke his fall,
but Guy fractured a rib.

At another Meet and
Greet, an over-zealous fan gripped Andrew Latimer's hand in a vice-like
handshake. He refused to let go despite Andrew's shouts of
protest and he badly bruised Andrew's hand. The injury cast doubt
on his ability to play the following night. Luckily he was able
to play but the seriousness of it cannot be underplayed. An
injury to any band member can bring down a tour. Had this 'fan'
fractured Andrew's hand, it would have ended the tour then and
there. It was imperative there be a radical change to the Meet
& Greets on future tours.

THESE CHANGING TIMES

For a number of years Andrew Latimer has been challenged
by arthritis in his hands, more so in recent years. He tells us
he now finds it too painful to shake hands with anyone and so, with no
disrespect intended, Andrew will not be able to shake hands and we ask
that everyone respect this in turn. We would all rather he
continue to play his guitar than risk silencing that gift.

The other change is an end to the random access Meet &
Greets. They will now be offered only as a VIP Package in limited
numbers to take place in a private environment before a
show. In this way, both the band members and the fans will
have time for an autograph, photos and a brief personal chat in a safe
and relaxed atmosphere. Please be aware that only one item can be
autographed due to time constraints, so please only bring your most
treasured item. This will give everyone a chance to have a
memorable one-on-one moment. If you are interested in a VIP
Package, please contact the venue for more information.

We trust everyone will understand the need for these changes.
Camel have always been open, accessible and generous to fans and that
includes all band members from 1972 to the present. But we no
longer live in the same time as we did in the 70's. That openness
was very special. In this New Dawn, the changes throughout
society are so great that those days are now truly gone by. Would
anyone in 1976 have tolerated watching a 2 hour live concert, during
the performance, through a 3" x 5" screen?

Camel ask that no mobile phone, tablets, video cameras or any recording
devices are used during the performance The band would much
prefer to play to the faces in an audience as opposed to an array of
arms with electronic devices held in the air, obscuring the faces of
fans. Camel Productions received a number of complaints from fans
who couldn't see for all the devices equally obscuring their view, let
alone the distraction of the bright screens shining back at them.
The intimacy and magic of a performance is lost for everyone when the
focus is interrupted in this way. CP and Camel would very much
appreciate your cooperation.

It's hugely important that everyone enjoy the tour, both band and fans
alike. Camel on the Road 2018 has an exciting new element.
With the exception of Japanese fans, who were the first to experience
Pete Jones' phenomenal contribution to Camel, tour 2018 will offer a
first opportunity to do so for fans in Europe, England, and the Middle
East. Pete Jones is a wonderful addition to the group so don't
miss the chance to see a performance and enjoy the magic of this
enduring and endearing group that is Camel.

Friday, 3 November 2017

Thursday, 2 November 2017

Two new dates in Poland added to the tour schedule

Monday, 30 October 2017

Photo by Alec Lenya Bass

After the hugely successful tour of Japan with keyboardist Pete Jones,
the band was keen to get back on the road as soon as possible.
After a few wrinkles were ironed out, mainy to do with schedules, they
organised
a brief get together a couple of weeks ago and it was a unanimous decision
to return to the road in 2018. With the success of The Snow Goose
tours in 2013 and 2014, the band agreed presenting Moonmadness with the
same faithful intention would be every bit as enjoyable.

We'll have more news as more
dates are confirmed (only confirmed dates are announced). You can
check Camel's NEWS and TOURS page on their website. The band are
looking forward to visiting new countries on the 2018 tour.

A limited number of VIP tickets will be made available on the tour. Details to follow.

(from left: Denis Clement, Colin Bass, Pete Jones and Andrew Latimer)

Photo by Camel Tour Manager Emma Edgar

OUR BEST SELLER

If you were unable to see
this phenomenal line up perform live in Japan in 2016, you can buy the
DVD recorded at the Ex-Theatre in Roppongi, Tokyo in May 2016.